Grouse/woodcock dashboard improves hunt for all

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American woodcock

An American woodcock in the forest
As grouse and woodcock hunting ramp up in Michigan, hunters are encouraged to submit their field experiences to an online dashboard that aims to improve the hunt for everyone.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources launched the Michigan Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard in 2025, replacing a longtime paper survey. Hunters made more than 1,100 submissions about hunter effort and flush rates in the first year of the digital tool.

The publicly accessible dashboard provides near real-time data summaries allowing hunters to compare their hunting experiences and identify places to hunt grouse and woodcock. Hunting season for both upland birds opened Sept. 15.

“We a had a strong response in our first year of the program and hope for even more participation this year,” said Adam Bump, DNR upland game bird specialist. “The more hunters who participate, the better the information and the more useful the dashboard becomes.”

Michigan hunters have a long history of collaborating with the DNR to share information on their ruffed grouse and woodcock season experiences. Flush rates offer hunters a standard way to evaluate activity in different areas. By submitting observations, hunters can see how their experiences compare with others in their favorite counties for hunting and across Michigan.

Participation is voluntary, and the survey is designed to be quick and easy to use. Many grouse and woodcock hunters already keep track of flush rates, so reporting requires little extra effort.

How to report

  1. Open the Michigan Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard.
  2. Select Submit a Report to begin a report.
  3. Enter hunt details: Add the date, county, hours hunted, information on use of dogs or accompanying hunters, and the number of flushes you observed for each species.
  4. Check your entries, then tap Submit.
  5. Use the dashboard to view totals by county and compare flushes per hour across Michigan. See grouse, woodcock or both species’ flush rates. Compare with hunters who use dogs, or with those who don’t. This standardized metric helps hunters compare their own experiences with those of others.

Open the dashboard ?

Season details

In 2026, ruffed grouse hunting in Michigan is open Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1. Woodcock hunting is open Sept. 15 – Oct. 29. Find bag limits, hunting regulations and more in the 2026 Michigan Small Game Hunting Regulations Summary.

Hunting

SAF Seeks Supreme Court Review in New York ‘Sensitive Places’ Carry Ban

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The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review in Christian v. James, a case challenging New York’s sweeping “sensitive places” firearms carry ban.

SAF has already secured two victories in the case, with the federal district court ruling that New York’s prohibition of concealed carry on private property open to the public is unconstitutional – a ruling later conceptually reaffirmed when the Supreme Court struck down a near-identical Hawaii state law in Wolford v. Lopez. In May, the Second Circuit affirmed that ruling as it relates to carry on private property open to the public. In the same ruling, however, the Second Circuit upheld the constitutionality of New York’s carry ban in public parks. That ruling lead to today’s petition asking the Supreme Court to review the case.

“For the same reasons both the Supreme Court and Second Circuit struck down major portions of this law already, the remaining ban on permitted carry in public parks should meet the same fate,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “This firearm carry ban applies to every public park across New York, from Central Park in Manhattan to remote state forests and recreational areas. New York has beautiful outdoor spaces and those who enjoy those scenic landscapes should not be forced to be vulnerable and unable to protect their families. We learned in the Supreme Court’s Wolford decision that the Second Amendment protects the ability of peaceable Americans to carry as they go about their daily lives. For many New Yorkers, taking advantage of the beautiful public parks is part of their daily lives. As the Court continues to explain precisely what types of public spaces can be deemed ‘sensitive’ we are hopeful that it takes this opportunity to hold that public parks are not among them.”

As stated in the petition, “Only (the Supreme Court) can resolve whether the Second Amendment’s promise will apply to all Americans guaranteed the fundamental right it protects.” SAF is joined in the case by the Firearms Policy Coalition and Brett Christian, for whom the case is named.

“If there’s ever a time when a citizen should be allowed to carry a firearm for self-defense, it’s in the wilds of New York,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. Read more

Gun Control

Historic Whitetail Verified as Largest U.S. Typical in Boone and Crockett Records

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non-typical whitetail buck

MISSOULA, Mont.—(September 8, 2026) The Boone and Crockett Club announced today that the Sam Aiuppa/James Martin typical whitetail deer has officially been verified at a score of 207 7/8 inches, making it the largest typical whitetail ever taken in the United States.

The score surpasses the famous Jordan buck by 1 6/8 inches and ranks second worldwide behind Milo Hanson’s 213 5/8-inch world record.

Sam Aiuppa killed the buck in late November 1991 during a pheasant hunting trip to LaSalle County, Illinois. He mounted the antlers on a plaque and stored them in his basement, where they remained for 32 years until an electrician noticed their extraordinary dimensions, most notably eye-guards more than a foot long.

Antler collector James Martin later acquired the antlers and had them measured by a Boone and Crockett Club Official Measurer. After the initial score was submitted, the antlers were independently re-measured by two additional Official Measurers to verify the score. The completed score charts were reviewed by Dr. Jon McRoberts, chairman of the Club’s Records of North American Big Game Committee, who confirmed the official score of 207 7/8 inches.

“This is a monumental addition to North American big game records,” said Kyle Lehr, Boone and Crockett Club director of Big Game Records. “We are thrilled to officially welcome the Aiuppa buck into the Boone and Crockett records. It took more than three decades for this remarkable deer to be recognized, but its place in the record books is well deserved.”

Thanks to a generous donation from a long-time Boone and Crockett Club Lifetime Associate and conservation benefactor, the Club waived its $40 entry fee starting January 1, 2026. This gift removes a key financial barrier to submission, encouraging broader participation and expanding records data to support the science-based management of North American wildlife.

For more details on the buck’s history, read “Lost For 30 Years: The New #2 Typical Whitetail and Illinois State Record.”

The Importance of Records in Big Game Management

When you enter your trophy into the Boone and Crockett system, you aren’t just honoring the animal and its habitat. You are participating in a data collection system that started in the 1920s and was refined by Club members in 1950. Read more

Hunting
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Firearms

Custom & Collectable Firearms Introduces the Kimber K1911 Sienna .45 ACP

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Custom & Collectable Firearms proudly introduces the Kimber K1911 “Sienna,” a custom .45 ACP pistol that combines the familiar full-size 1911 platform with refined materials, artistic engraving, and a distinctive collector-focused presentation.

The pistol features a stainless finish enhanced by an engraved Damascus-inspired pattern that flows across the slide and gives a sense of movement and dimension. Custom copper-flake grips complement the engraved stainless finish with a warm contrast, resulting in a presentation that feels both contemporary and grounded.

The Kimber K1911 “Sienna” brings together custom artistry and premium presentation in a firearm created for collectors who appreciate heritage as much as individuality. Its combination of engraved stainless steel and copper-toned grips gives the pistol a distinctive identity that stands apart from more conventional custom 1911 designs. Read more

Firearms

NSSF Releases 2026 Congressional Report Card

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NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, released its 2026 Congressional Report Card, grading sitting U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators on key legislation that is of critical importance to the firearm industry, the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and America’s hunters and recreational target shooters. Five Members of Congress were not graded due to special elections to fill vacancies, resulting in the new Members having an insufficient voting and co-sponsorship record for grading.

“This report card will be critical for voters to do their research as we head into the final stretch towards the November elections just seven weeks from now. NSSF’s 2026 Congressional Report Card tells voters exactly where their lawmakers stand on issues including defending the firearm industry’s ability to engage in the lawful commerce of firearms and ammunition and safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of customers, as well as promoting hunting and recreational target shooting – America’s greatest outdoor pastimes,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “This nonpartisan report card reflects the level of support of each lawmaker on firearm industry priority legislation during the 119th Congress, between 2025 and 2026. These grades indicate their public voting record as well as their sponsorship and co-sponsorship of key legislation, their work on committees, letters signed to support firearm industry issues and their overall leadership in championing our industry.”

NSSF awarded 14 U.S. Senators and 71 U.S. Representatives the NSSF distinction of being named to the “Dean’s List.” To earn this special recognition, members needed to have a 100-percent voting and co-sponsorship record. Additionally, 13 Senators and 41 U.S. Representatives earned the rating of “A+.”

Grades are meant to analyze the level of support of each lawmaker during the 119th Congress and do not constitute an endorsement of or opposition to a representative’s or senator’s candidacy. The entire report, including the list of key legislation that comprised the scores, is available here. Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

Henry Repeating Arms Introduces the Founding Fathers Collection

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Henry Repeating Arms has introduced the Founding Fathers Collection, a series of seven Tribute Edition rifles honoring the men who shaped the American republic: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. The series arrives as the United States of America continues to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence.

Every rifle in the series is limited to 250 individually numbered pieces. Beyond the individual editions, Henry is reserving just 10 complete matched sets, each carrying the same number across all seven rifles, for collectors who want the full series as a single unified set. Read more

Firearms

Primary Arms Optics Releases the CLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope with New ACSS 22LR G2 Reticle

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Primary Arms Optics has released the CLx 1-6×24 SFP Rifle Scope with the ACSS 22LR G2, a bullet drop compensating reticle built specifically for .22 LR. Underneath, it is the same entry-level low power variable optic already in the CLx line, now offered with a reticle calibrated to rimfire ballistics at a listed price of $199.99.

The ACSS 22LR G2 is an advanced BDC reticle with holds matched to 36-40 grain projectiles traveling 1000 to 1200 feet per second, which covers most standard and high velocity .22 LR ammunition. Shooters zero the center aiming dot at 50 yards. Below that dot, the BDC runs in 25-yard increments from 75 out to 200 yards. A barbell shape marks each 50-yard stadia, so the 100-, 150-, and 200-yard references read clearly without counting lines.

At max magnification, every major BDC stadia line from 100+ yards is sized to the width of a clay pigeon, about 4.3 inches, at its own distance. Hold the BDC stadia across a target, find the line that fits its width, and the reticle gives a range estimate without a rangefinder. The dots flanking the stadia are 5 MPH wind holds, and they can be scaled to fit greater or lesser wind calls: half the distance for 2.5 MPH, double for 10. Read more

Optics

Winchester Launches New Big Game Ammo 101 Video Series

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Winchester announces the launch of its new 7-part, Big Game Ammo 101 video series. The first episode, The Complete Lineup Tested, is now live on the Winchester Ammunition YouTube Channel.

Tune in to watch Winchester and its team of experts test big game loads, covering accuracy, terminal performance, ballistics and, how to choose the best bullet for your next hunting experience.

“Whether you’re after elk, deer, or other big game, this series is designed to help hunters choose the right ammo with confidence,” said Jason Gilbertson, Senior Director of Marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “Ammunition is a critical piece of gear on any hunt. It’s important to understand how bullet technologies differ and can be applied on various big game species. This is an in-depth series that cuts to what matters most when selecting ammunition.”

Click here to watch the video

Learn more about Winchester and the responsible use of its products by visiting Winchester.com or connecting with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.

Ammunition

Bear Attacks Hunter South of Augusta

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GREAT FALLS – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is investigating a bear attack on a hunter on state-owned land near Elk Creek and Haystack Butte south of Augusta.

The victim was archery hunting on the morning of Sept. 14 when he encountered the bear and was attacked, sustaining significant but fortunately not life-threatening injuries. The hunter drove himself home after the attack and was transported to Benefis Hospital by private vehicle for treatment.

FWP’s priority is human safety, and game wardens and bear management specialists are continuing their investigation and posting signs in the area to notify the public of bear activity.

The species of the bear involved is currently unknown, and the incident remains under investigation. No further details are available at this time. Read more

Wildlife
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